Feeding mechanism for mailing-machines.



s. A. MAXWELL. FBEDING MEOHANISM FQB MAILING MACHINES. .APPLIOATIDN FILED JAH. 18, 1905. REHBWED APB. 9. 1908.

Patented May 16, 1911.

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S. A. MAXWELL. FBEDING MBUHANISM FOB MAILING MACHINES. APrLIoATIox rILBD 1.511.*18, 1905. mmxwnn un. a, 190s.

Patented May 16, 1911 7 SHEETS-SHEET 2 N w': l

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S. A. MAXWELL. I'EBDING MEOHANISH FOB MAILING MACHINES.

LIOATIUH FILED IAI. 18, 1905. BBIBWBD APB. 9, 1008.

Patented May 16, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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PEBDING MBoHANIsM'ron MAILING MACHINES. APPLICATION IILI) IAN. 18, 1905. BENBWED APB. 9, 1908. 992,224, Patented May 16, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.'

' Suunto witnesses JW a M i s ttounu) S. A. MAXWELL. FEEDING MBOHANISM FOB. MAILING MACHINES. APPLIUATION rum; JAN. 1a, 1905. nmmwnn un. o. 190s.

. 992,224. Patented May 16, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

S. A. MAXWELL. FEBDING MBOHANIBM POB MAILING MAOHINES. rrLIoATIoN FILED JAN. 1e, 1905. nmwnwnn un. a. 1008.

Patented May 16, 1911.

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FEEDING MEGHANISM FOR MAILING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18, 1905. BBNEWED APB. 9, 190B. 992,224, Patented May 16, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET '1.

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l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

i SINGLETON A. MAXWELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

T THE MAXWELL AUTOMATIC FOLDING, WRAPPING & ADDRESSING MACHINE COMPANY, 0F AUGUSTA, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MAILING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1911.

Application filed January 18, 1905, Serial No. 241,686. Renewed April 9, 1908. Serial No. 426,084.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, SINGLETON A. Maxwnm., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Feeding the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This inventlon relates to improvements 1n malhng machlnes, and more partlcularly 1n the machine disclosed in the applicationfiled by me October 17, 1902, renewed June 1908, and bearing Serial Number 440,359. In that machine the article to be wrapped is ing mechanism.

The purpose of the present lnventlon 1s to provide a mechanism for automatically feeding the articles from a magazine in which they are stacked onto the tapes and thereby do away with the hand feed.

In practice the hand feed, especially when newspapers are wrapped, has been found to be too slow and the speed of the machine very much limited. In the present invention the newspapers are stacked in a magazine and mechanism is provided forv withdrawing them successively from the magazine and depositingr them on the tapes, so that the speed of the machine is only limited by the capacity of the wrapping mechanism proper.

The invention consists in the novel con. struction, combination and arrangement of parts, such as will be hereinafter fully described, pointcd out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings. in whichsimilar reference characters designate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a Afeed mechanism embodying the invention. Fig 2 is a plan'view of the same with parts broken away and omitted forthe sake .of clearness. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vw showing a side elevation, broken away in parts, showing part of the operating mechanism. Fi 4 is a similar view of the opposite'side. ig. 5 is a side elevation placed bv hand 4upon the tapes of the feedl184 on said shaft.

of the jaw-mechanism for partly withdrawing the bottom paper from the magazine. Fig. G is a plan view of the same. Flg. 7 is a side elevation of the same showing the position of the jaws just after they have grasped a paper. Fig. 8 is a. similar view showing the jaws just after they have re'- leased the paper. Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the jaw-mechanism. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the magazine. Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the knee-lever and its connections for starting the machine. Fig. 12 is a detail view showing thetapes and the pulleys carrying the same. Fig. 18 is a detail View showing the eccentric pin for pivoting the yielding jaw.

The supporting frame of the feeding mechanism is of such a construction as to fit in with the main part of the frame disclosed in the application hereinbefore referred to.

Projecting from the front of the crosspiece 52 of the main frame of the machine are the extension frames or brackets 174 on the forward ends of which is the shaft 175 with its ends journaled in the bearings 176.

' On the shaft are secured the grooved pulleys 177. Over thc latter and the sleeve 178 rotatable on the shaft 179 carried by the arm 180, on the inner ends of the brackets 174, are the twisted bands or tapes 181. On the sleeve 178, between the tapes, are the rubber collars 182 with corrugated peripheries. The shaft 175 is rotated by the sprocketchain 183 engaging with the sprocket-wheel The sprocket-chain is driven by the sprocket-wheel 185 on the rotatable shaft` 186. The sprocket-chain passes over the idler sprocket-wheel 187 journaled on a sleeve 188 ecentrically mounted on a shaft 189 carried by the adjacent bracket 174. By adjusting the sleeve any slack in the sprocket-chain may be taken up. The shaft 186 is rotated by the sprocket-chain 190 enga-ging with the sprocket-wheel 191 on said shaft and the sprocket-wheel 192 on the main driving shaft 57. Enfraging with the sprocketschain 190 is the idler sprocket-wheel 198 carried by the bracket 194 adjustably mounted on the cross-piece 52. By adjusting the bracket the tension of the sprocket-chain 190 can be regulated, By rotating the shaft 175 motion is given to the twisted bands or'tapes and any article placed thereon will be fed toward `the assembling mechanism of the machine. 'lhe twisted bands rotate thesleeve 178 and the collars 182 on said sleeve, so that the article engaged by the corrugated peripheries of the collars will be .fed to thc assembling mechanism. l

In the uprights 195 on the. inner ends of the brackets174 is journaled the Vshaft 196 carrying the fingers 197 with their free ends turned upwardly. The shaft is rocked by the arm 198 on Said shaft and connected by the link 199 with the upper c nd of the lever 200 pivoted at the lower end to the frame of the machine.' (Dotted lines Fig. 3. Full lines Fig. 2). This lever is provided with a friction-roll 201 that enga-ges with the cam vfinger is carried by the` a1m..208 secured on 202, and through the action of which the lever is vibrated and consequently the shaft 196 is rocked. A spring 203 connected with.,

the arm 198 works against the action of the cam202 and normally holds, the free ends of the fingers 197 in an elevated position in the path of travel of the articles carried by the twistedl bands 181. These ngers form stops against which the articles are moved by the twisted bands, and hold them until the assembling mechanism is ready to receive them. The movement of the shaft 196 is timed to accord with the action of the assembling mechanism.

A longitudinal guide 204 is mounted at one side of the twisted bands 181. It is carried by the arm 205 horizontally adjustable on Vone of the standards 206. r"he twistA in the bands is lsuch as to move the articles against the longitudinal guide and the latter givesK them their proper direction to the assembling mechanism. f- A spring finger 207 -is provided for pressing the `artlcle against the twistedbands. The engaging end `of the -spring finger ,is serrated, and it acts as a pawl to prevent-,the articles from rebounding when they strike the stops 197. This the longitudinal guide 204. The latter can be adjusted. to accommodate articles of .differentwidths.4 j

A roll 209 is journaled on the shaft- 210 secured in the free ends of the arms 211 pivoted on the''rock shaft 196, and operates to pressthe articles onto the rubber collars 182 as they-are released by the fingers. 197. The

' cured together. \On' the l'ow'er'end of the flever 212 is the friction-roll 215 engaging roll is raisedl intermittently by the lever 212 pivoted on the'shaft: 196, andfha-ving jat the 'l upperend a slotted arm 213. Through the .slot in the 4arm 213 passes the screw 214 into 'the adjacent arm 211. By tightening lthe screwthe two arms 211 and v213 can be sewith the cam 216 on the shaft 186. Asthe cam rotates the lever is' oscillated, and through its connection withv the arm 211 the eoaeaa roll 209 is intermittently raised andNlowered. The operation of the .cam is such as to lowerA the roll 209 when the article passes beneath it after being released by the stop 197 to press the same upon. the collars 182, and thereby insures a correct feed of the article to the assembling mechanism. wAfter the article has passed jto the assembling mechanism the cam operates to raise the'roll\209 f just before another article is released by the 75 stops 197. By means of the slotted arm 213 and the screw 214 the distance which the roll will vbe raised and lowered can be vregulated to accommodate articles of different thicknesses. Up to this point, the construction of the feedlng mechanism is'quite. similar to the feeding mechanism disclosedY in the said application. It is .welll adapted to feeding to the assembling. mechanism art-icl'es, placed singly thereon by hand. The speed at which it can be operated depends upon the skill of the operator'in placing the articles singly -.upon the tapes. This has been found to be too slow for practical purposes whenV such'articles as newspapers areprepared for mailing.- That Ypart ofthe in-A vention hereafter to be described relates to an automatically operated mechanism particularly adapted to feeding newspapers from a stack placed in a magazine for holding the same. `Ylfhile itis particularly de-- scribed `as being adapted tofeeding news papers, yet it can be used for feeding'other articles. p

Gripping rolls are provided for engaging with the newspaper as it leaves the 'maga-.1 zine (hereinafter described) to movev the same onto the tapes 181. On the shaft 175, between the grooved pnlleys 177, are secured the lower rolls `217. These rolls are of the same diameter as the pulleys'and, consequently, their peripheral speed is the same as the speed Vof the tapes. Immediately above the rolls 217 are the upper rolls 218 secured on the shaft 219 journaled in-the, 110 -freeends ofthe swinging hangers 220 and 221 respectively, secured on' the ends of the shaft 222 journaled inthe standards 206. Springs 223 connected with the frame of the machine andthe hangers force the free ends of the latter downwardly. The hanger 220 is in the form of a triangular frame, and at the lower end is a friction-roll 223a bearing ,on the cam 224 on the shaft 186. The rotation of the cam oscillates the hangers-220 and 221vagainst the action of the springs 223, and thereby ovesthe upper rolls 218 l *n relatively 'to the ower rolls 217. The rela-.f tive movement of the olls is timed so that', they will come together to engage the arf vticle just as it leaves the magazineand so that they will sepasrate after the article is A fed onto the tapes. Theshaft 219 is rotated byv the train of gears225. the up er one of 'which is secured on said shaftv an' the lower 130 one meshes with lthe gear 226 on the shaft 175. The dimensions of these gears are such as to drive the rolls 218 with'the same peripheral speed as the rolls 217. The teeth of the lower gear 225 and the gear 226 are of such a length as to engage with each other during the movement of the hanger 220.

On the extreme outer e-nds of the frames 174, and elevated somewhat above the same, is mounted the magazine for holding the stack of newspapers. The base or floor 227 of the magazine is supported at its four corners by the brackets 228 carried by the posts 229 secured on the frames 174. Standards 230 are adjustably mounted-on the base by the screws 231 passing through their slotted lower ends. These standards are on three sides of the base. On the fourth or inner side the posts 229 are continued above the base, and vertically adjustable thereon are the cross-pieces 232. I-Iorizontally adjustable on the cross-pieces are the four stops 233, the inner faces of which are flush with the front edge of the base. By adjusting the standards 230 relatively to each other and to the stops 233, the magazine can be regulated to accommodate newspapers. of diiierent sizes. In the front.

edge of the base in the recess 234 and projecting into the same from opposite sides, are the plates 235 with 1an opening or throat 236 between them' leading into said recess. The tops of these plates are flush with the upper surface of the base and their forward ends, as at 237, project beyond the edge of the base to form sprin supports, On the lower ends of the two lnner stops 233 are presser-feet 238 of the same outline as the supports 237. These stops are adjusted horizontally on the cross-pieces 232 so that the presser-feet come directly over the'supports 237; the stops are also vertically adjusted so as to permit only a single newspaper to pass beneath the presser-feet with some little friction. The outer stops 233 are horizontally adjusted so that th'e edges of the newspapers in the stack will rest against the same, and vertically adjusted so that a single newspaper can pass freely beneath their lower ends.

Mechanism is provided for drawing the lbottom paper inthe stack from the maga? zine to a position between the gripping rolls 217 and 218 so as to be engaged by the same when they come together. Beneath the base y The other end of the rod is pivoted to the upper end of the lever 243 hinged at its lower end to the frame of the machine. On the lever 243 is a friction-roll 244 that engages `with an eccentric groove in the disk 245 on the shaft 186. As the disk rotates, through the intervening mechanism, the carriage is reciprocated on the guide-way.

On the rear end of the carriage 240 is pivoted the arm 246 by the pin 247. On the free end of the arm is pivoted the yielding jaw 248 by thc pin 249. This jaw is bifurc-ated on its under side and straddles the arm. and 251, respectively,.of the pin 249 on which the members of the jaw are journaled are concentric to the main axis 'of the pin. (Fig. 13). The intermediate bearing surface 252 that i`s journaled in the arm 246 is eccentric to the main axis of the pin. By turning the pin in its bearings the yielding j-aw can be adjusted relatively to the arm'. The pin is secured in its adjustment by the screw 253 passing through the end of the arm and -impinging on the eccentric bearing of the pin 249. The movement of the jaw on the pin is controlled by the screws 254 and 255 respectively, passing through vthe arm to engage with the j aw on opposite sides of its pivot 249. On the screw 254 is the spring 256 bearing on the back of the jaw with a very slight pressure, and acts to normally hold the jaw in ya horizontal position.

`The end of the arm 246 is slit, as at 257, ad-

jacent to the holes ofthe screws 253 and 254. By means of the screw 258 passing through the arm between the said holes the walls ofv the latter can be clam ed together to secure the screw 254 in its a justments. (Fig. 6). Onthe arm 246, intermediate. of its ends, is mounted the lever 259. This lever is bifurcated and straddles the arm, and is pivoted thereon by the pin 260 passing through said arm and the members of the bifurcation. The upper or forward end of this lever forms the movable jaw 261 coperating with the yieldin jaw 248. On the upper face of the Inova le jaw at its extreme forward end is the nose 262. The jaw end. of the lever 259 is normally pressed upward toward the yielding jaw by the spring 263 in the socket 264 working through the piu 265 movable in said .socket and bearing on the under side of the jaw-end of the lever. At the lower or tail end of the lever 259, the roll 266 is journaled between the'ends of the members of the bifurcation. The pin 267 formin the journal for this roll projects from t e side of the lever iu a position to be engaged by the catch 268 when the tail end of the lever is raised. This catch is pivoted on. the pin 247, and is limited in its The two outer bearing surfaces 25()A lever 259 to move the jaw V261 relatively' to the jaw 248, so that the said jaws can operate to grasp a vpaper placed between them carriage reaches the limit of its forward the'carrlage- 240 the tail-end of j the`v` lever vao , this backward movement the jaws are open.

stroke. Inthe path of travel of the roll 266 the cam 270` is mounted on the guide-way 239. As the carriage- 240 moves'forward and approaches the limit of its stroke, the cam engages with the roll and raises the tailend of the lever 259 against the action of the spring 263. As the carriage continues its forward movement the roll rides on the'top of the cam and holdsthe tail-end of the lever in its raised position. While the roll is rid-' ing on the top of the cam the lower end of the catch 268 strikes the stop272,and the catch is moved into engagement with the pin 267 at the time the carriage reaches the limit of7 its forward stroke. .(Fig.,8). This raising of the tail-end of the lever opens the. -jaws 248 and 261 a shortdistancebefore the carriage .reaches thel forward limit of its stroke and releases any article that may have l been seized by the. jaws. As the carriage continues to the .extreme forward limit of the stroke the jaws pass clearl of the article. f Durin the` backward or'return stroke of 259 is held in an elevated position by the catch 268. (Fig. 5). Consequently during Just before the carriage reaches the en'd of its backward stroke the pin lor lug' 271 strikes the stop 273 and the catch is disengaged from the pin 267. (Fig. 7)'. This frees the tail-end ofthe lever andthe spring I 263 is permitted to act'to force the jaw 261 towardthe opposing jawv 248 to seize any article between them.l After the releasing of the lever the carriage starts on its forward movement, and the spring263 continues to act to force the jaws together until the roll 266 engages with the cam 270.

The jaws 248 and 261 are carried by the pivoted arm 246. During the forward dmovement ofthe carriage 240 the-free en'd -of this arm 1s in a raised positlon. During thev first part of the return or backward stroke of the carriage the armA is in a lowered position. The object' of this is to enable the jaws to carrv the article between the gripping rolls 217 and 218 during the forward movement of the carriage; and also to permit them to drop clearfof the article on they retuign stroke of the carriage. Means are provided forraising and lowering the free end of the' arm for this purpose.

the forward-end of,A the carriage 240 is pivoted the dog 274 having wings27 5 and 276:- `YDuring vthe-first part of the 'forward movement of .the Acarriage -the wing `275f rides over the top of the cam 277 Thisthrows the wing 276 up against the under side off ,thearm 246 and holds the latter in an'eL `turned-to raise the arm again.

rated position, which is horizontal. The

between the` gripping Tolls. As the carrier advances in its forward movement, and the jaws release the article, .the arm is still held in an elevated position until-the jaws clear the article. (Fig. 8). As the carriage approaches the limit of its forwardstroke the wing 275 of the dog strikes the stop 278 and the dog is turned so that the wing 276 is moveddownward, and the free end of the arm 246 drops by its weight.. The free end of the arm remains in its lowered position during the first -part of the backward or return stroke of the carriage until the wing 27 engages the cam 277, and the dog is (Fig. While the arm is in its lowered position, the jaws pass beneaththe article they. have just released. When the' arm is raised again, the jaws Vwill have cleared the article 'they have just released,'and will be in position to engage with the succeeding article in the magazine. The upward, movement of the arm 246 is limited by the wing 275 engaging with the adjacent pin 279.

It'is to be observed that the stops 272, 273, and 278, andthe cams 270 and 277 are aol-- justably mounted on the guide-way 239 'so that they can be regulated to act at the proper time yto perform their functions.

Means are provided for automatically stopping the machine should an article 'pass accommodate. To the lower inner end of one of the extension frames 174 is pivoted the arm 280 by the wrist-pin 281. (Eig. 4).

On the same wrist-pin and inside of the arm.

is pivoted the lever 282. In the arm 280\is a slot through which passes the bindingl screw 283 into the lever 282.' By means of the binding-screw the arm and lever can be relatively adjusted and secured. .Thejfreel upper endv of the lever 282 is connected by the link 2 84 with the lower. end of the pivoted frame.A 220. The lower free end of the arm 280 is bent inwardly, as at 285, so as to engage with the outwardly bent end 286- of the angular leverf287.' (Figs. 1' and 2,). This angular lever is pivoted on the shaft 288 journaled in the frame ofthe machine".

' The shaft A288 carries 'the key 289 forA connected bythe rod 293' with the free end of the knee lever 294jpivoted to the outer lmence an operation.

end of one of the extension frames 174. Then the free end of theknee lever is moved inwardly, through the intervening mechanism, the key 28,9 is raised to permit the two members (if the clutch to engage and thereby transmit motion from the pulley 291 to the main driving shaft 57. On the shaft 288 is the catch in a position to be engaged by the latch 296 pivoted to the frame 52 of the machine. When the latch 296 is in engagement with the catch 295, the key 289 is held in a raised position so that the two members of the clutch 290 can engage.

On the main'driving shaft is the camwheel 297 with the depression 298 in its periphery, On the lower end of the angular lever 2871s the roll 299, 'and the latter is normally pressed against the periphery of the cam-wheel 297 by the spring 300 connecting said lever with the frame 52.1 Pivotedon the latch 296 is thedog 301 recessed at its lower end to en age with a pin 302 on the angular lever 28 and provided at its upper end with a lug rojecting over the lat-ch 296. (Fig. 2.) "'hen the roll 299 enters the depression 298 of the cam-wheel 297 the angular lever is oscillated so that. the pin 302 engages with`the'lower recessed end of the dog 301, and as the lever is rocked thelatch 296 is raised by the dog 301 until the lug on the topof the dog engages with the top of the latch andl disengages the dog from -the pin 302. This releases the latch and permits it to drop to an engaging position again. The upward movement of the latch 296 releases the catch 295 and the shaft 288 4is freed so that the key 289 can descend to separate the members of the'clutch 290 and thereby stop the machine. This stopping of the machine happens just after the roll 299 leaves the depression 298 and leaves the machine in an initial position to com- As shown and described in the former application, theshaft 288 also operates a brake mechanism to tak up the-momentum of the machine after the clutch members'. have been separated.

"henthe machine is in opration under normal conditions the roll 299 cannot enter the depression 298.' As the depression approaches the roll 299, the turned-out end 286 of the angular lever is engaged by the turned-in end 285 of the arm A280, and the .roll is prevented from entering the depres s1on.

Consequently ,the latch 296 will not be raised to release the catch 295'. and the operation of the machine will not be checked. Should Athe twoends 285 and 286 not engage, then the roll would enter the depression, vand the latch raised to dise'ngage the catch and thereby permit the key 289 to drop to separate the clutch-members to stop the machine.

tween the rolls 217 and 218, the upper rolls 218 will be raised to such an extent as to oscillate the hanger'220 as lto move the arm 280 through the link 284 and the lever 282, so that the end 285 of the arm will engage with the end 286 of the lever 287, and

thereby prevent the roll 299 Vfrom entering the depression 298 to stop the machine.

Should an article thicker than the average passbetween the rolls 217. and 218` through the intervening mechanism, the arm 280 would be moved to a greater distance and its free end 285 would be raised clear of the end 286 of the angular lever. Consequently the angular lever would be oscillated by the roll entering the depression and the machine thereby stopped. Also, should an a1'- tiele of less thickness than the average pass between the gripping rolls, the movement of the free end of the arm 280 would pass beneath the end 286 of the angular levcr .and the latter, consequently, could operate to stop the machine. Should the machine stop automatically, it would indicate that an article not of the average size had been ted onto the tapes and steps could be taken to prevent the same from passing into thc wrapping mechanism. l

Means are provided for stopping the ma` chine by hand. (Fig. 1). To one of the side frames 'of the machine is pivoted the lever y303 connected with the latch 296 by the 'link 304. A spring 305pulls downwardly on the free end of the lever 303, and also acts to depress the free'end of the" catch 296. By means of the handle 306 the lever 303 can be moved against the action of the spring 305 to raise the latch 296 to release the/,mechanism holding the key 289 so that `the latter can fallto separate the clutch members.

i The operation of the machine is as follows: Thestandards v230 and the stops 233 are horizontally adjusted on the base 227 of the magazine relatively to each otherto accommodate the papers according'to their superficial dimensie-ns; and the stops 233 are vertically adjusted to accommodate the papers according to their thickness so that but a. single paper can pass beneath the lower ends of the stops.. In adjusting the two inner stops 233 the presser-feet 238 are adjusted relatively to the spring supports 237` so as to exert a. yielding pressure on the paper as it passes between the. same. '1 he purpose of the presser-feet and opposlng spring supports is to prevent the papers from being drawn from the'A magazine untilthe gripper rolls 217 and 218 are brought into action. The'papers are stacked inthe magazine with their folded edgesy abutting the stops 233, as shown in Fig. 1.

Previous to starting the machine,the jaws cz'1rryingthejaws'248 'and 261' is reciprovcated in the guide-way 239 betweenthe Vmagazine and the gripping rolls. As the jaws Y move toward the magazine and pass into the i throat 236'between Vthe plates '235, they en-V `,of'ino\'enient. the papers might be injuredV gage with thebottorni'paper in .the magazine; and when the jaws move away from the magazine theyvcarry thepaper between the gripping rolls.

At their folded edges the papers are not of exactly the same thickness, and' if the upper jaw 248 shouldlbe positive in its line and vthe operation of the machine impeded. To avoid this, the upper jaw is yielding so that it can deviate to accommodate the variations in the thickness of-the papersat I their folded edges. 'As -,the carriage 240appreachesV themagazi-ne', should the jaw 248 strike Ianywhere between the apexes a (Fig. 5) of the folds inthel twoV lowest papers it -would' yieldv andhe guided between the papers. A is regulated by the screw 254C, and the ten This yieldingmovementof the jaw sion `spring'256 vServes to normally 'hold the jaw in a'horizonta-l position. For comparatively thick papers, there being a greater contacting surfaces of apexes of the from this plane by the meeti the distance between the apexesof their folds, the jaw can be given greater play than for thin papers, as the distancebetweens the foldsinthfe vlatter is less.A Also, vby manipulating the cam-pin 249 the jaw can be regulated to travel in' a plane ap# proximately the same as' that inl which the the two lowest papers Any slight deviation surfaces of pers will bel aceomino ated bythe g arm. As the .carriage 240 continwill generally meet.

yiel' .ues its movementv toward the magazine, the

upper jaw i248 passes between ltheabottom paper' and the one immediately above. vAs the y carriage approaches the limit of its stroke the stop 273 engagesjhe pin 271 on the catch 268 and re eases the lever. 259. Wlien the lever is -released the spring 263 forces the jaw-261 upwardly so that its nose 'i -262 closes on the lpaper and firmly holds the4 latter lagainst.

the jaw-248` (Fig..7). lAfter the'leve'r 259 has been released and the jaws engaged with the paper, the carriage starts sottesa magazine, the roller 266 on the lowerfend .and thereby depresses the jaw 261 to release the paper. This happens just after the jaws havepassed between the gripping rolls 2 17 and 218, andthe edge of the paper is7 inl a Vposit-ion to be grasped by the said rolls.

carriage continues its movement awayv from the magazine, and as the paper `is held by Vthe presser-feet 238 and the springfsupports 237 the jaws will move clear ofthe paper." (Fig.- 8.). As the carriage approachesthe end of 'ts stroke away from the magazine,

the free end ofthe catch 268 engages with movement of the carriage 240 away fronti-fthe'l of the lever 25,9 engages withthe carn-270, Y'

After the jaws have released the` paper thev thedoo' 272 and the catch is forced into -engagement with the pin 267 tohold t-he lower Also. as the carriage approaches the limitof .its movement, the stop 278 engages with the. wing 275 and turnsthe .dog274J to permit the arm` 246 to drop so that the jaws will clear the path of travel of the paperon the returnV stroke of the carriage. Immediately after the arm 246 drops, the carriage tstarts on its return vstroke toward the magazine..

Shortlyfafter it starts this 'movement the wing 275 strikes the inclined en d of the cam 277 and the dog 274 is turned to raise the arm 246 so thatfthe jaws will again bein position to engagewith Ithe succeeding paper in 'the magazine. The pa er juist releasedl by the'jaws 'will .be engage by the rolls 217 and 218 and moved forward onto Ithe tapes against the'stops 197.' l f When the paper is rst introduced between the rolls217 and 218, the latter are in a raised position, being so held by the action of thelcam 224 on .the lower end of the hanger 220. UAS soon as the jaws move clear ,of the paper, which is held stationary by the presser-feet 238 and the springisupports 237, and drop below the path of travel of the'paper and below the tapes 181', the cam 22'4 will have turned so as tol permit the springs 223 to press paper and into enga ement with the rolls 217; Th'eaction of ltre rolls 217 and 218 after 'engaging with the paper is to draw only partly withdrawn by the jaws, and to feed'itl ontothe tapes 181 against the stops supports 237 ot only prevent the paper 197.l The presser-feet 238 and the spring- Q end of the lever 259 in an elevated position.

the rolls 218 onto the Y the latter from the magazine, it having been I ferent dimensions.

from buckling, but also prevent it from being drawn forward by the tapes and following the jaws after the latter have opened to release it.

Should a paper thicker than the 011e to which the rolls 217 and 218 have been adjusted, where two papers have beenfolded 'one/inside of the other for an instance, or one thinner, where a paper has parts mlsslng' for an example, pass between the gripping rolls, the machine would automatically stop through the action of the Aupper rolls 218. Should the upper rolls 218 be separated too much from the lower rolls 217 by the too thick paper, or allowed to come too close together by the too thin paper, the ends of the arm 280 and the angular lever 287 would not register, and consequently the operation of the machine would cease, so that the error could be rectified. After the rolls draw the paper from the magazine and feed it onto the tapes, they separate, through the action of the cam-wheel 224, to receive the succeeding paper in the magazine. After the paper is fed onto the tapes 181 by thegripping rolls, it is moved forward until it strikes the ngers 197. The twist in the tapes is such as to cause the paper to move against the longitudinal guide 204, andthe latter causes the paper to take the proper direction' toward the assembling vmechanism of the folding machine..- This longitudinal guide can be adjusted relatively to the path of travel of the paper to accommodate papers of dif- The fingers 197 resent the edge of the paper squarely to t e roll 209 andlthe collars 182. The finger 207 presses the paper against the tapes and its serrated-end, acting as a. pawl, prevents the paper from jumping back when it strikes -the fingers 197. The shaft 196 is intermittently rocked by the cam 216 to move the fingers 197 to release the paper, and at the same time lower the roll 209'to press the paper onto the collars 182 so that the rotationl ofthe latter will feedthe paper to the assembling mechanism., 1

While the feed mechanism `hereinbefore described is particularly adapted to be used witlL the mailing machine disclosed in my applica-tion 'previous'y noted, yet it can bel used withother machines where a newspaper feed is necessary. Also, thel embodiment `means for guiding said jaw to enter the opening between the edges of twovadjacent from the stack.

articles in the stack, and a jaw co-acting with said pivoted jaw to sei'ze one of the articles.

2. ln a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles in a stack,'a yielding jaw for entering between two articles in the stack and a jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize one of the articles, and meansy for reciprocating said jaws to draw the seized article from the stack.

3. In a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles in a stack, a yielding jaw for entering between two articles in the stack and a movable jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize one of the articles, means for actuating said movable jaw to seize the article after the yielding jaw has entered between the articles, and means for reciprocating the jaw to'draw the seized article from the stack.

4. ln a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles in a stack, a yielding jaw, for entering between two articles in the stack anda pivoted jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize one of the articles, means for oscillating said pivoted jaw to seize the article after the yielding jaw has entered between the articles, and means for reciprocating said jaws to draw the seized article from the stack.

5. ln a feeding mechanism, a magazine .having a base provided with a recess and adapted to-hold the articles in a stack, a carriage reciprocative relatively to said holding means, a jaw pivoted on said carriage, yielding means for guiding said jaw to enter the opening between the edges of the bottom article in the stack and the one above, and a jaw co-acting with said pivoted jaw for seizing the bottom article.

6. In a feeding mechanism, a magazine having a base provided with a recess and adapted to hold the articles in a stack, a yielding jaw for entering between the bottom article in the stack and the one above and a jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize'the bottom article, and means for ,reciprocating said jaws in said recess tg draw the seized bottom articleV from the stack.

7. In a feed mechanism, a magazine having a base provided with a-recess and adapted to hold lthe articles in a stack, a yielding jaw for entering between the bottom article in the stack and the one above and a' movable jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize the bottom article, means for actuating said movable jaw to seize the bottom article after the yielding/jaw has entered between the bottom article and the one above, and

4means for reciprocating said jaws in said recess to draw the seized bottom article 8. In a feed mechanism, a magazine having a base provided with a recess and adapted to hold the'articles in a stack, a yielding jaw for entering between the bottom article in the stack and the one above and a pivoted jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize the bottoml article, means for oscillating said pivoted jaw to seize the bottom artiele'aften the yielding jaw has 'entered between the bottom' article and the one above, and means for reciprocating said. jaws in said;1ecess't0 f draw the seized bottom article stack. l

9. In a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles in a stack, rotatable gripping rolls operating to grasp an article to `move it forward, a carriage reciprocative intermediate of said holding means and said from vthe rolls, a jaw pivoted on said carriage, yield, ing means for guiding said jaw to enter the Topening between the edges of two adjacent articles in the stack, and a jaw co-acting with said pivoted aw to seize one of the article i l'to carry it to said rolls.

` 10. In a feeding mechanism, means vfor- .holdingthe articles. in a stack, a'yielding :reciprocating .said jaws to'draw the seizedf article from the stack, and gripping rolls the stack and` moving it forward,

holding the articles in a stack, a yielding jaw for entering betweentwo articles'in the means for actuating said movablevjaw to selze theA article after the yielding jaw has -entered between the articles, means for reticle from the stack, means for actuating said movable jaw to release the article after it has been drawn vfrom the stack, land relholding the articlesin a stack, a yielding jaw for entering between two articles in the stack and a pivoted jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize oneof the articles, -means for reciprocating the jaws to draw the seized article from the stack, means for os' cillat-ing said pivoted jaw to seize the article after the yielding jaw has entered between the articles and also to release the articleafter it has been drawn from the stack, and relativelyA movable gripping rolls operating to grasp the article as it is released by said jaws to feed itforward.

13. In a Jfeeding mechanism, a magazine having a base provided withv a recess and adaptedto holdthe articles in a stack, grip p' l g rolls opposite to said recess and operat- 65 nig to grasp an article and to feed it forjaw for entering between two articles in the" -for'engaging with the article drawn `from` stack and a movable jaw (zo-acting with said yielding jaw to seize one of the articles,

ciprocating the jaws to draw Vthe seized ar' ward, a carriage reciprocative intermediate of 'said holding means and said rolls, a jaw pivoted on said carriage, yielding means for guidingsaid jaw to enter the opening between theedges of the bottom article 1n the `70 stack and the one above, and a jaw coacting with said pivoted jaw for 'seizing the bottom article and carrying it to said rolls".

14. In a feeding mechanism, a magazine vhaving a base provided with" a' recess and adapted to hold the articles in a stack, a yielding jaw for ,entering between the botg `torn article in the stack and the one above and a jaw co-ac ting with said yielding jaw- Yto seize the bottom article, means for recip i in@` rolls o' osite to said recess-to redigd) -tlie artieldndrawn from the stack to Vfeed it forward. f 15. In a feeding mechanism, a magazine' 'having a` base provided with a vrecess and adapted to hold the articles in a stack, a yielding jaw yfor entering between the bot-A tom article in the stack'and the oneabove l and a. movable jaw co-acting with, said yield- Y ing jaw to seize'the' bot-tom article, means for reciprocating said jawsv in said recess'to jdraw the seized' bottom article from the stack, means for actuating said movable jaw vto engage the bottom article` after the yield- 11. In a feedlng mechanism, means'V forI ing jaw has entered between the bottom .arti- Y cle and the one above, means for actuating 'said movable jaw to release the seized article t after it has been :drawn from the stack, and relatively movablev gripping rolls opposite to said recess and operating to grasp the article as it is released by said jaws to feed it forward. c

16. Ina feeding mechanism, a magazine having' a` base provided `with afjrecess and adapted to hold the articles ina stack, a yielding jaw for entering between the bot- A tom article in the stack and the one above' and a pivoted jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize the bottom article, 4means v for reciprocating saidl jaws in said recess to draw the seized` bottom article from the stack, means for Oscillating said pivotedjaw .to seize the bottom article after the yielding jaw has entered between the bottom article and the one aboVea-nd also to release the article lafter it has been drawn from theb stack, and relatively movable gripping rolls opposite to said recess and operating to grasp'the article as it is released by said jaws to feed it forward; t

17. Inafeeding mechanism', means for h olding the articles in a stack, a carriage re' ciprocative relatively to said holding means," a y1eld1ng jaw on said carriage for entering between'two articles in the stack and a jaw co-actmg with said yielding jaw to seize'one of Athe articles, means Vfor closing the jaws on :saA L rocating said jaws in said recess todraw the A f v seized bottom article from` the stack, and

limit of its stroke toward the holding means andea'ffer the yielding jaw has entered between the articles, and means for opening the jaws to release the article as the carriage recedes from the holding means.

18. In a feeding mechanism, means for jholding the articles in a stack, a carriagere- ,ci rocative relativel to said holdin means,

P y g a yielding jaw on said carriage for entering between two articles in the stack and a jaw movably mounted 'on said carriage and coacting with said yielding j aw to seize one of the articles, means for operating said mov- Aable jaw to seize the articlesl a `the carriage approaches the limit of its stro te toward the holding means and after the yielding jaw t -pivotedI `on said-carriage and co-acting-dwith said yielding jaw toseize one of theja'rticles, means vfor oscillati said pivoted-jaw to seize the article as tie carriage approaches -kthe rlimit of its stroke toward the holding A meansandj after the yielding jaw has en-v tered Ibetween the articles, and means for oscillating said; pvoted jaw to releae the articleas.thecarriage ,recedes fromi the hold-vingffmeans.. Y

a vyieldingjaw `oiisalifl `carriage for entering .co-,acting with said yielding jaw yto seize one betweenA two articles in the stack anda jaw ofthe articles, mechanism for adjusting said yielding jaw `on said carria e to accommdate articles of diierent t icknesses, and means for opening and closing said jaws during the reciprocation of the carriage.

'21. In a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles in a stack, a carriage reciprocative relatively to said holding means, a yielding jaw on said carriage for entering between two arti-cles in the stack and a jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize one: of the articles, adjustable mechanism for regulating the play of said yielding jaw, and means for opening and closing said jaws durl ing the reciprocation of the carriage.

22. In a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles in a stack, a carriage reciprocative relatively to said holding means, a yielding jaw on said carriage for entering between two articles in the stack and a jaw co-acting with said yielding jaw to seize one of the articles, adjustable mechanism for regulating the play of said yielding jaw, mechanism for adjusting said yielding jaw -feeding mechanism', means for. holding the-.miele ina stack, e vMilanese re- .ciproaatve;re1atwely :to said holdmg means,

on said v earring` to'liticcommodate larticles" of different thicknesses, and means for operating said jawsduring the reciprocation of thecarriage. 23. In a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles ina stack, rotatable gripping. rolls operating to grasp an article to .move it forward, a carriage recipriocativel between said holding means and said rolls, a l

jaw pivoted on .said carriage, yielding means for guiding said jaw to enter the opening betweenthe edges of two adjacent articles in the stack, a jaw c'o-acting with said pivoted jaw, and mechanism operating to close said 'jaws to seize an article as the carriage approaches said holding means and to open said jaws to. release the article as the carriage approaches the gripping rolls.

24, In a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles, rotatable gripping rolls operating to grasp an article to move 1t forward, a carriage reciprocative intermediate of said holdingmeans and said rolls and passing between said rolls, an arm pivoted on said carriage, co-actingjaws on said arm, mechanism operating to'close said jaws I-to seize an article as the carriage approaches said holding means and to open said jaws to release the article. as the carriage ape.

proachessaid grip ing rolls, and mechanism j arm .to lower Said laws., `below the pat oitmvelofthe article after the jaws yhaveapeliedl and. ,moved clear ofthe article and 'oto` raise ythe Ajaws v`duringlthe :ref t turn Stroke-0f: the carnage toward; t .e holding means.

i 25. in .a Yfeeling; mechanisa--oaab1e srippngrolls Ynewratings LbegreepY an. article to move it forwarda carriage reciprocative between said Trolls, co-acting jaws on .said

`carriage for seizing an article 'and moving it'between said rolls, mechanism for openingy and closing said jaws, and mechanismk for moving said jaws fout of the path of travel of the article after they jaws have released the article and moved clear of the same, and

mechanism for moving said jaws to their original position as the carriage moves away from the gripping rolls.

26. In a feeding mechanism, means for holding the articles, a carriage' reciprocative Yrelatively to said holding .means, an arm hinged to said carriage, co-acting jaws on said arm, mechanism operating to close said jaws to. seizean article as the carriage apl preaches lthe holding means and to open the jaws to release the article when the carriage moves away from said holding means, and mechanism for oscillating saidvarmv to lower said jaws below the path of travel of the article after the jaws have opened and moved clear of the article and to raise the jaws during the return stroke of the carria'ge toward the holding means.

27. In a feeding mechanism, meansy for carriage moves away lfrom the holding means, and mechanism for oscillating said arm to lower said jaws below the path of travel of the article after the jaws have opened and moved clear of the article and to raise the ,jaws during the return stroke of the carriage toward the holding means.

28. In a feeding v-mechanisnn means for holding` the articles in a stack, a carriage reciprocative relatively to said holding means, j an arm hinged to said carriage, a pivoted jaw adjustable on' said arm to accommodate articles of. different thicknesses, yielding meansfor guiding said Ajaw to enter the y opening between the edges of two adjacent larticles in the stack as the carriage ap,- yproaches theholding means, a jaw pivoted on said arm and co-acting with saidfadjustable' awand-operating to seize an article when the carriage approaches the holding means and to release the article when the `"carriage movesl f away from the holding i means,'and mechanism` for oscillating said 353arm to lower Asaid jaws below the path of travel 'of the article after the jaws hafve. opened and moved clear of the article and t raise' v`the jawsduring the return stroke j of the carriage toward the holding means'.

29. In a feeding mechanism, alreciproca-A tive carriage. an arm hinged to said car.,

riage, a pin rotatable in said arm .and provided with eccentric bearings, a jaw pivoted on the eccentric bearings of said pin', a second jaw co-acting with the first mentionedk jaw, means for opening and closing said 'jaws, and means for oscillating said arm.

30. In a feeding mechanism, a reciprocative carriage, an arm hinged to said ,car-

riage, a jaw p ivoted on. said arm, a .spring normally holding said jaw in a horizontal position` adjustable pins on opposite sides of the pivot of said jaw to regulate the play. of said jaw, asecond jaw co-acting with the rst mentioned jaw, means for operating said jaws, and means for moving said arm.

`31. In .a feeding mechanism, a reciprocative carriage, an arm hinged to said ca'rriage, a pin rotatable. in said arm and provided with edcentric bearings, a jaw pivoted ing means fr holding said jaw.1n an engaging position, a second jaw co-acting with the first mentioned jarwmeans for operatonthe eccentric bearings ofsaid pin, yield,

j ing vsaid jaws, and means forl oscillating said arm. i i.

32. In a feeding mechanism, a reciprocative carriage, an .arm hm ed to lsaid carl'/riage, 'a pin rotatable r'invsaid arm and proriage, a jaw on said arm, a lever pivoted to said arm, a jaw on said lever and co-acting with the jaw on the arm, a spring nor mally pressing the jaw on thel lever toward the ,jaw on the arm, means for movingsaid lever against the action of said spring, and means for moving said arm.

34. AIn a feeding mechanism, a guide-way, a carriage reciprocative on said guide-way, an arm hinged to said carriage, co-acting jaws on said arm, means for .operating said jaws, a dog pivoted on said carriage and engaging with said arm,a cam on said guideway for turning said dog to raise said arm, and a stop on said guide-way for engaging with said dog to turn the same to lower said arm. i

a carriage reciprocative on said guide-way, `an/arm hinged to ,said carriage, a jaw `on saidfarm, a lever lpivoted to said arm, a jaw-`on'.Said lever and co-acting with the jawon the-arm, a spring normally pressing the jaw' on the lever toward the jawon the arm, a latch pivoted on said carriage, a. cam on saidgliide-way to engage with said lever tomove the same againstthe action of said spring and to move the jaw on the lever way from the .jaw von the'arm, a stop on said guide-way for forcing said Vlatch into engagement with. said lever, and, a second stop to disengage said latch from said lever. f 4- 36. In a feedingA mechanism, a magazine for containing the articles ina stack and comprising a base, standards adjustable horizontally on said base, stops vertically adjustable on the front edge of said base,

,supports on saidvbase coperating with said presser-feet, and co-acti'ng jaws reciprocasupports to engage the bottom article of the stack.

.37. In a feeding mechanism',a\magazine for containing the articles in a stack and having a recessed base, spring supports on opposite sides of the recess in said base, ad?

justable presser-feet coperating with said spring-supports, land co-acting jaws for en- -35; vIna feeding mechanism, a guide-way',

tive between said presser-feet and spring.

tive carriage, an arm hinged to said carl presser-feet carried by said stops, springbetween said spring-supports and tering' bottom article of presser-feet to engage the the stack.

38. In a feeding mechanism, the main driving shaft of the machine, clutch mechanism for transmitting motion to said shaft, a cam-wheel on said shaft having a depression in its periphery, a pivoted lever riding on said cam-wheel and actuated by entering the depression to operate the clutch mechanism to stop the machine, grippin rolls, a movable frame carrying one of sai gripping-rolls and controlled in its movements by the article passing between the grippingrolls, and a pivoted arm connected with said frame and moved by an article of normal thickness passing through the grippingrolls to engage sald lever to prevent the latter from entering said depression in the cam-wheel.

39. In a feeding mechanism, the main driving 'shaft of the machine, clutch mechanism for transmitting motion to' said shaft,

, sion in its peri mechanism to stop rolls, a movable frame carrylng one o a cam-Wheel on said shaft lhaving a depreshery, a pivoted lever riding eel and actuated by enterto operate the clutch the machine, grip ingsaid gripping-rolls and controlled in its movements by the article passing between the gripping-rolls, and a ivoted arm comprismg relatively adjustab e membersconnected at one end with said frame and moved through the intervening mechanism by an article of normal thickness passing between the gripping-rolls to engage at its other end with said lever to prevent the latter from entering the depression in the cam-wheel.

In testimony whereof, Ihereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SINGLETON A. MAXWELL.

Witnesses ALEXANDER SAMPsoN, THOMAS R. WHITE.

on said cam-W nigthe depresslon 

